If you need to ride in the winter around these parts (Taos) - you only have a few options:
1) the front side of Divisidero (ass kicker)
2) Talpa Traverse (potential run-ins with belligerent rednecks) or
3) Horsethief and Cuervo
OK, Horsethief and Cuervo are not technically in Taos - they are in Arroyo Hondo - but close enough that if you were Jones-n' to ride you'd make the 15 minute drive to Hondo. To start the ride, hang a left on County Road B-001, about a quarter mile north of Herb's Bar in Arroyo Hondo. Drive this road for another quarter mile, past a few houses, pull off and park. Now ride west continuing on the same road towards the Rio Grande - mostly all down hill or flat. When you get to the gorge look to your right - ya see that faint trail heading north? - that's it - that's Horsethief. No, it's not marked in any way, not even a carin. From there you will follow the east edge of the gorge a few miles north where the trail will transition into the Cuevro and bring you back south - spitting you out right near the start of Horsethief. Check out this map - or, well a photo of a map.
Total time: about 1.5 hours (lollipop/loop)
Trail surface: smooth and swoopy with several areas of loose babyheads and smaller kittenheads - all ridable
Pokey Stuff: Yes, there's lots of cactus-don't stray from the trail even one inch or you're screwed
Possibility of Death: Yes - there is some major exposure in a few spots where, one wrong turn and you'll drop about 1,000 feet into the Rio. There's rattlers out there too....and sometimes rednecks shooting stuff
Proximity to Beer: Herb's Lounge - there's a scary liquor store there too
